He’s an easy-going guy – always quick to lend a hand here at the Mission.

But it was a different story when we met. Back in 2016, Roberto was in the grips of an aggressive alcoholism that was slowly destroying his life.​

“At my worst I would go through 10-15 tall boys and a 30 pack of beer every day. I must have spent $700 or more on alcohol every month,” Roberto admits.

His addiction cost him his home, his job, even his relationship with his wife and daughter who, when we met him, he hadn’t spoken to in six years. It was only when he finally wore out his welcome sleeping on people’s couches, that he found himself at the doors of the Gospel Rescue Mission.

The plan was to sleep, shower, and sober up in hopes of finding work. But with his alcoholism still unresolved, there was little hope that Roberto’s plan would be successful – and God knew it. Soon after he arrived, changes in the fire safety codes reduced our men’s shelter capacity from 130 beds to just 55. Suddenly Roberto was one of over a hundred men that found themselves out on the streets with nowhere to go.

The sad truth is, some folks will go hungry this Thanksgiving. Many will have too little to eat. Many families will be worried about how to feed their children – families like the Alstons.

They were a “normal” family, a lot like yours or mine — but a few years ago, they hit a rough patch.

Before they knew it, they were on the brink of losing everything. As Thanksgiving approached, there was no possible way they could have a turkey dinner. Mom and Dad didn’t know how to break the news to their children that, for the first time ever, Thanksgiving would be canceled.